House appropriation committee members passed an ag spending bill that includes an amendment to stop the USDA from implementing fresh beef imports from Brazil and Argentina. The regions in question have had a history of foot and mouth disease, and U.S. cattle groups are concerned about that. Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund CEO, Bill Bullard says the amendment prevents implementation of those rules until a risk analysis is done.

Bullard says his group intends to work with the full House and Senate to make sure that the amendment stopping the USDA remains in the appropriations legislation going forward.

Bullard says the amendment passed after a compromise was reached between Congresswoman De Lauro of Connecticut and Representative Bellato of California.